Santa Fe prides itself on celebrating all of its rich history. It recognizes its roots in Pueblo Indian culture, the Spanish colonial period and its position today as New Mexico’s state capital and a haven for artists, writers and other creative types. Santa Fe means holy faith in Spanish, and the city also celebrates its spiritual heritage with some of the oldest churches in the country. With its intriguing mix of galleries, restaurants, museums and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, Santa Fe has experiences for everyone.

Getting there: Many Southwestern visitors either drive there or fly to Albuquerque. There you can rent a car and drive about an hour north. Santa Fe Municipal Airport is another option, with direct flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver and Phoenix.

Money-saving tip: For those who fly into Albuquerque, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express offers easy access to Santa Fe for less than $10 each way. To catch the train, take the free shuttle from the airport. The train stops at the Santa Fe Railyard, an eight-block walk from the downtown plaza. Or you can catch a free shuttle from the Railyard into downtown Santa Fe. www.nmrailrunner.com.

Get your bearings: The historic downtown plaza is a good place to meet up with people or get the lay of the land. Many of Santa Fe’s top attractions are within easy walking distance of the square. santafe.org.

Hidden gems: Secret gardens are sprinkled throughout the downtown area if you are patient enough to seek them out. These gardens offer quiet places to contemplate the sights you’ve taken in or plan your next adventure. Hint: A secret garden can be found adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. www.cbsfa.org.

Good lodging for a modest budget: The Santa Fe Sage Inn offers motel-style rooms for about $100 a night. It’s about a mile from the downtown plaza, but complimentary shuttle service will take you there. Santa Fe Railyard Park, a popular warm-weather attraction, is right across Cerrillos Road. Hotel amenities include a fitness center and outdoor pool. santafesageinn.com.

Best splurge accommodation:The Inn of the Five Graces is in the historic Barrio de Analco neighborhood. It occupies several buildings on both sides of the street near the San Miguel Mission, founded in 1610. The modest exteriors offer no clue as to the luxurious accommodations inside. Each room is uniquely furnished with Eastern-themed furnishings from the high-end collections of Seret and Sons. Bathrooms feature individually designed mosaic tubs and/or shower fixtures. Nightly prices depend on season and range from about $335 for a single room to $2,500 for the fabulous three-bedroom, three-bath Luminaria House villa. fivegraces.com.

Best lunch: The Shed offers tasty authentic northern New Mexican cuisine in a vibrant, eclectic setting. Watch your head if you eat at the Shed because some of doorways in the former residence-turned-restaurant are less than 6 feet high. sfshed.com.

Best dinner with a view: Grab a table on the patio at Rooftop Pizza and take in the sunset while enjoying Italian cuisine that includes antipasti, salads, pasta and, yes, pizza. Toppings include the traditional, such as green chile (hey, this is New Mexico), mushrooms and pepperoni or more adventurous selections such as lobster, piñon nuts and smoked duck. Try the blue corn crust. rooftoppizzeria.com.

Where the locals eat: A short drive from downtown on Cerrillos Road takes you to Dr. Field Goods. The farm-to-table fare includes favorites such as carne adovada egg rolls, charred Caesar salad, Bad Ass BLT (featuring a 9-ounce ground bacon patty) and buffalo enchiladas. drfieldgoods.com.

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Art is everywhere in Santa Fe, N.M. Michael Chow/azcentral.com

Best family activity: The interactive art exhibit/play space Meow Wolf can entertain a family for an entire day. Children will be fascinated to explore the quirky, almost cartoon-like rooms and features. Teens and adults can immerse themselves in trying to figure out the story behind all the chaos. meowwolf.com.

Best grown-up activity: If you enjoy a good margarita, pick up a Santa Fe Margarita Trail passport and check out the 31 stops around town. Collect stamps from each stop and earn prizes, but don't try to hit them all in one day. The passport also contains recipes and tips for getting around town without getting behind the wheel. santafe.org/margaritatrail.

Best art museum: The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is not a comprehensive collection of the famous artist’s work so don’t expect to see all of your favorite paintings. But the collection is designed to offer greater insight into her life. www.okeeffemuseum.org.

Best cultural experience: Museum Hill is worth the short drive from downtown Santa Fe. The area is home to the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. In addition, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden on Museum Hill is right across the street. museumhill.net.

Best place to watch the sunset: The Bell Tower Bar at LaFonda on the Plaza hotel offers spectacular city and mountain views. At five stories, it’s one of the highest points in town. www.lafondasantafe.com.

Best in-town hike: If you want to challenge yourself a bit, make the trek up to see the Cross of the Martyrs. It’s a fairly easy hike, but it is uphill and can seem harder if you aren’t used to the altitude (7,198 feet). Signs along the way reveal some local history. The hilltop is another good place to check out the sunset. 617 Paseo de Peralta.

Best place to explore ancient ruins: Bandelier National Monument is near Los Alamos, about 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe. Take the short hike from the visitor center to Frijoles Canyon where you can view reconstructions or remnants of ancient buildings and cliff dwellings. www.nps.gov/Band.